The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, says Nigerian workers deserve living wage and other basic amenities, noting that the N18, 000 minimum wage is not enough for civil servant to solve their social and economic challenges.

This is contained in a statement signed by the bishop and made available to newsmen in Awka on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Bishop Ezeokafor reiterated his commitment in calling for better living conditions for Nigerian workers.

The Catholic prelate said the government should be clamouring for a living wage for workers and not pay cut or unpaid salaries and arrears.

'I really feel for Nigerian workers. Why other countries of the world are busy taking care of their workers, down here, we are finding it difficult to pay N18,000 Minimum wage. Is this not wickedness?"

He also added that what the workers received as basic salaries could not cater for their needs. 'It is that bad. I have said it before and I will say it again that the successive administrations have failed to provide for Nigerian workers.

'You need to see some of them. Some of them could not even feed well let alone running a family. Sometimes, I ask myself why are the leaders always turning blind eye to the workers' plights? Why are they so insensitivity? I hereby congratulate Nigerian workers as they mark their day. We will continue to pray for them.

'Why pay jumbo salaries and allowances to those who do little or nothing towards the development of this country? Why impoverish the workers?

"I blame our past and present corrupt leaders on the economic woes of the country.

'What we are suffering today is as a result of the mismanagement of the natural resources in the country by corrupt leaders both past and present.

'Some people, who ought to have maximised the nation’s resources, cornered the nation’s wealth to their pockets,' the statement said. .